Best camera lens for butterfly photography

Are you in search of the best camera lens for butterfly photography?

Look no further. After investing considerable time and conducting in-depth analysis, I can confidently recommend the ideal lens for capturing the delicate beauty of butterflies.

Butterflies are beautiful and delicate creatures that make for great photography subjects. For capturing butterflies, some factors should be considered, such as magnification, aperture, minimum focus distance, and so on. In this article, I will let you select the best camera lens for butterfly photography while considering their important factors.

List of the Best Camera lens for butterfly photography [quick review]

Here is a quick list of the best camera lens for butterfly photography. 

1. Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
2. Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
3. Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD Macro
4. Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
5. Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G
6. Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon
7. ​Tokina at-X PRO M 100mm F2.8 D Macro Lens – Nikon AF Mount
8. Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
9. Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro
10. Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
11. Fujifilm XF 80mm f2.8 LM OIS WR Macro Lens

List of the Best Camera lens for butterfly photography [detailed analysis]

Now, here is a detailed analysis of the best camera lens for butterfly photography. 

1. Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

• The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is a macro lens for full-frame Canon EOS R-series cameras.
• It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and a magnification of 1.4 x.

Compatible Mounting	Canon RF.
Angle of view	24 degrees.
Image Stabilization	Optical image stabilization up to 5 stops.
No.of diaphragm blades	9 blades.
Lens construction	17 elements in 13 groups.
Minimum focus distance	26 cm.
Weight	730 g.
Adjustment	Autofocus.
Durability	The lens has a weather-sealed construction, which makes it resistant to dust and moisture.

Reasons to buy: 

• 1.4 x magnification.
• Optical image stabilization.
• Fast and quiet autofocus.

Reasons to avoid: 

• Higher price point.
• Limited to Canon RF-mount cameras.

 

2. Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM

• The Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM is a macro lens for full-frame and APS-C cameras.
• It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and features a 1:1 magnification ratio.

Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Angle of view	23.3 degrees.
Image Stabilization	Lens has Optical Stabilization (OS).
No.of diaphragm blades	9 blades.
Lens construction	16 elements in 11 groups.
Minimum focus distance	31.2 cm.
Weight	725 g.
Adjustment	There are three switches on the barrel, one of which controls auto/manual focus.
Durability	The lens is not properly weather-sealed.

Reasons to buy: 

• Excellent macro capabilities.
• Optical stabilization (OS).
• 1:1 magnification is ideal for macro photography.

Reasons to avoid: 

• Price may not suit all budgets.
• Heavier compared to some alternatives.

3. Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD Macro

• The Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD Macro is a macro lens for full-frame and APS-C cameras.
• It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and features a 1:1 magnification ratio.

 

Compatible Mounting	Nikon DX.
Angle of view	27.2 for full frame. 17.37 for APS-C.
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization with up to 3.5 stops.
No.of diaphragm blades	9 blades.
Lens construction	4 elements in 11 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.3 m.
Weight	600 g approx.
Adjustment	Len includes auto and manual focus modes and a focus mode lever on the barrel.
Durability	Built to repel dust and moisture. Heavy fluorine coating on the front element repels water and fingerprints.

Reasons to buy: 

• Excellent optical performance with good sharpness and color accuracy
• Fast, quiet autofocus.
• Image stabilization.

Reasons to avoid: 

• No weather-sealing
• The focus ring is a bit stiff.

 

4. Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM

• The Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM is a macro lens for APS-C Canon EOS cameras.
• It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and features a 1:1 magnification ratio.

Compatible Mounting	Canon EF-S.
Angle of view	The changeable angle of view is dependent on focal length and camera mount.
Image Stabilization	Hybrid image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	10 elements in 6 groups.
Minimum focus distance	13 cm.
Weight	190 g.
Adjustment	AF with the full-time manual.
Durability	The lens is not properly weather-sealed.

Reasons to buy: 

• Hybrid image stabilization.
• Compact and Lightweight.
•  Versatility

Reasons to avoid: 

• Limited Compatibility

5. Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G

• The Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G is a macro lens for Nikon’s DX-format APS-C cameras.
• It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and features a 1:1 magnification ratio.

Compatible Mounting	Nikon F DX.
Angle of view	38 degrees.
Image Stabilization	No image Stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	7  blades.
Lens construction	9 elements in 7 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.163 m.
Weight	235 g.
Adjustment	Silent wave motor.
Durability	A durable lens and has a metal mount, and a high-quality plastic barrel.

Reasons to buy: 

• Affordable price compared to other macro lenses.
• Lightweight and compact design.
• Good for everyday photography and macro photography.

Reasons to avoid: 

• APS-C sensor compatibility only.

 

6. Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon

• The Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon is a zoom lens for APS-C cameras.
• It has a maximum aperture of f/3.5 – f/6.3 and a 1:3 magnification ratio.

Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Angle of view	The changeable angle of view is dependent on focal length and camera mount.
Image Stabilization	Optical image Stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	17 elements in 13 groups.
Minimum focus distance	39 cm.
Weight	585 g approx.
Adjustment	Hyper Sonic Motors AF System.
Durability	A well-built lens that is designed to last.

Reasons to buy: 

• Compact and lightweight design.
• 1:3 macro ratio.
• Versatile all-in-one zoom range.

Reasons to avoid: 

• Autofocus may not be as fast or accurate as more expensive lenses.
• No weather-sealing.

 

​7. Tokina at-X PRO M 100mm F2.8 D Macro Lens – Nikon AF Mount

The Tokina at-X PRO M 100mm F2.8 D Macro Lens is a high-quality full-frame macro lens.
It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and features a 1:1 magnification ratio.

Compatible Mounting	Nikon F and Canon EF.
Angle of view	24 degrees.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	9 blades.
Lens construction	9 elements in 8 groups.
Minimum focus distance	30 cm.
Weight	540 g.
Adjustment	The lens has both autofocus and manual focus capabilities.
Durability	The lens has a solid build, plastic body and a metal mount.

Reasons to buy: 

• 1:1 magnification is ideal for macro photography.
• Affordable price compared to other macro lenses.
• Good optical performance.

Reasons to avoid: 

• It may be heavier and bulkier compared to some zoom lenses.
• Manual focus may not suit all users.

 

What to look in the best camera lens for butterfly photography

1- Aperture 

When choosing the best camera lens for butterfly photography, an aperture is a crucial factor. Look for a lens with a wide aperture, like f/2.8 or lower. A wider aperture allows more light, enhances background blur, and captures fine butterfly details.

For beginners, refer to my previous article, “Beginner’s Guide for Buying Camera Lenses,” to understand lens selection basics.

2- Image stabilization

When selecting the best camera lens for butterfly photography, consider image stabilization (IS) for sharper shots. IS compensates for handheld camera shake, which is crucial in close-up butterfly shots. Look for lenses with IS or VR (Vibration Reduction) to ensure your images are clear and crisp, even in challenging shooting conditions.

3- Autofocus 

When you’re looking for the ideal lens for butterfly photography, make sure it has a good autofocus system. A fast and accurate autofocus helps you capture those quick butterfly moments without missing any shots. It’s a must for this unique style of photography.

4- Zoom range

When selecting the best lens for butterfly photography, focus on the zoom range. A moderate zoom range, such as 100-200mm, offers flexibility to capture butterflies up close or from a distance. This versatility ensures you can frame your shots effectively in butterfly photography.

Best camera lens for butterfly photography FAQs

What is the best focal length for butterflies?

Image stabilization is valuable for handheld 100mm macro lens shots in butterfly photography. For distant butterflies, consider a 180mm macro or 70-300mm zoom lens. These options provide versatility in capturing both close-up and faraway subjects.

What focal length is best for insects?

Macro lenses range from wide-angle to telephoto 15mm to 200mm. At least a 90mm macro lens is suggested for bug photography. Avoid frightening insects by leaving space between you and them.

How do I choose the best focal length?

A smaller focal length, like 11, 14, or 24, frames more of the scene in front of you. To fill the frame with a little section of the scene in front of you, choose 100, 200, or 400 focal lengths.

At what aperture is a lens sharpest?

When it comes to aperture and sharpness, the best aperture setting depends on the lens. Generally, f5, f8, or f11 are sharper than f16, but f2.8 and f4 can be crisp but have depth-of-focus and curvature of field difficulties

Conclusion

Selecting the best camera lens for butterfly photography is vital. Opt for a macro lens with image stabilization for sharp close-ups. A lens with a moderate zoom range, like 100-200mm, ensures versatility.

For beginners, my previous article, “Beginner’s Guide for Buying Camera Lenses,” offers helpful insights into lens selection. Ultimately, the best camera lens for butterfly photography is the one that best meets your individual needs and budget.

Happy shooting!